The Perfect Raised Bed Soil Mix: A Simple Recipe for Explosive Growth
The three-part soil recipe that outperforms anything from the garden center. Plus cost breakdowns, amendments, and the no-dig approach to building soil over time.
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How to Grow Lavender: The Complete Guide to Planting, Care, and Harvesting
Everything you need to know about growing lavender — varieties, planting, pruning, harvesting, and uses. A Mediterranean native that thrives on neglect.
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The Homesteader’s Seasonal Planting Calendar: What to Do Every Month
The Homesteader’s Seasonal Planting Calendar: What to Do Every Month of the Year Homesteading doesn’t follow a nine-to-five schedule, it follows the seasons. Knowing what to plant, harvest, preserve, and prepare each month is the difference between a thriving homestead and a chaotic one. Whether you’re managing a few raised beds and a backyard flock…
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Succession Planting: How to Harvest Fresh Food All Season Long
🌱 From Our Homestead Once I started sowing lettuce and radish seeds every two weeks instead of all at once, we went from a giant glut in June to steady salads from May through October. It takes five minutes of planning and saves us from that frustrating feast-or-famine cycle. Succession Planting: How to Harvest Fresh…
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How to Build a Hugelkultur Raised Bed: The Self-Watering Garden
🌱 From Our Homestead We built our hugelkultur mound from a pile of rotting logs that had been sitting behind the barn for years. Two seasons later, it holds moisture so well I almost never water it, even during our driest August weeks, the squash and tomatoes on that mound thrived. How to Build a…
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Growing Herbs Indoors All Winter: A Windowsill Garden Guide
🌱 From Our Homestead I pot up rosemary, thyme, and a couple of basil plants from the garden every October and line them up under a grow light in the kitchen. Having fresh herbs at arm’s reach all winter has completely changed how we cook from November through March. Growing Herbs Indoors All Winter: A…
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How to Create a Moon Garden: Night-Blooming Plants That Glow After Dark
🌱 From Our Homestead I planted our moon garden along the path between the house and the chicken coop so I could actually see where I was walking on late evening chore runs. The white blooms practically glow at dusk, and the night-blooming jasmine fragrance makes every trip out feel like a treat. How to…
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Growing Blueberries at Home: The Complete Beginner Guide
Growing Blueberries at Home: The Complete Beginner’s Guide Key Takeaways (TL;DR): Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5, this is the single most important factor for success Choose between highbush varieties (best for northern climates, Zones 3-7) and rabbiteye varieties (best for southern climates, Zones 7-9) Blueberries take 3-5 years to reach full…
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Best Cover Crops for Home Gardens: Build Soil While You Sleep
TL;DR: Cover crops feed your soil microbes, suppress weeds, fix nitrogen, and prevent erosion, all without extra work once they’re seeded. Sow in fall or between seasons, then terminate by mowing or tarping before planting your main crops. Crimson clover and winter rye are the easiest starting points for most home gardeners. Your garden doesn’t…
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